#ENDSARSMemorial: Lagos Govt Speaks On Influencing Event Centre To Deny Protesters Venue

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led government of Lagos State has denied the claim that it threatenedg Landmark Events Centre to deny organisers of the #ENDSARS memorial access to the centre for their anniversary.

Ezenwoko’s Blog understands that popular hip hop singer and activist, Folarin Falana, better known as Falz had taken to his Twitter page earlier to allege that the government ordered owners of the events centre to disallow activists from holding their anniversary there.

The singer said they were told that the orders came from above and their reservation cancelled despite the fact that they had paid for use of the event centre.

Reacting to the claims, Lagos State Information Commissioner, Gbenga Omotoso, refuted the allegation noting that Sanwo-Olu has not issued such an order.

Speaking during the Arise Morning Show’s interview today on the one year anniversary of #ENDSARS protest, Omotosho said the governor never issued such an order, adding that a call was placed to one Mr. Paul of Landmark and he categorically said he has not spoken to the Governor in months.

Omotoso said: “Some guys organising the #EndSARS memorial protest came to see the governor some days ago and complained that they were being blocked from holding the event at Landmark Centre.

“The governor immediately put a call through to the manager of the event centre, one Mr Paul.

“The man stated that the governor never issued such order, adding that they had not spoken for several months. This was to the hearing of the protest organisers that came to make the complaint. They even recorded the call to go and play for the others.

“We did not order any event centre not to allow them hold their memorial protest.”

Omotoso stressed that the government was not in opposition to the expression of rights of Nigerians.

The government official said he spoke with the Commissioner of Police (CP) Hakeem Odumosu on the need for operatives to conduct themselves well.

He condemned the harassment of journalists at the scene, noting that if it did happen, it was condemnable.

The Commissioner said despite the pains the police felt and losses incurred last year, it didn’t give them the right to harass any journalist or citizen.